Comments on: Follow-Up to The Safety Sin http://pistol-training.com/archives/1260 for Teachers and Students of the Pistol Sat, 11 Feb 2012 04:39:07 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Kevin_Schlier http://pistol-training.com/archives/1260/comment-page-1#comment-1830 Kevin_Schlier Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:03:43 +0000 http://pistol-training.com/?p=1260#comment-1830 We often see an influx of new shooters at our matches when the weather breaks and this year was no exception. While running the timer, I observed something that bothered me, which was that many of the "newbees" were having trouble getting the guns out of their holsters and had to push with the index finger in the area of the holster which is the same area as the trigger of the gun. I later found out that these are Black Hawk Serpa holsters which are popular as they are readily available and affordable. I was also informed that there are mixed feelings and even some controversy regarding this design, and while I have no doubt that if used as the manufacturer intended, it looks good on paper, what I observed is that the design will ingrain, if not corrected, the immediate action response of pushing on the trigger area with the index finger to correct a holster problem. That this is an unintended consequence or a training issue does not change the worst case scenario. We often see an influx of new shooters at our matches when the weather breaks and this year was no exception. While running the timer, I observed something that bothered me, which was that many of the “newbees” were having trouble getting the guns out of their holsters and had to push with the index finger in the area of the holster which is the same area as the trigger of the gun. I later found out that these are Black Hawk Serpa holsters which are popular as they are readily available and affordable. I was also informed that there are mixed feelings and even some controversy regarding this design, and while I have no doubt that if used as the manufacturer intended, it looks good on paper, what I observed is that the design will ingrain, if not corrected, the immediate action response of pushing on the trigger area with the index finger to correct a holster problem. That this is an unintended consequence or a training issue does not change the worst case scenario.

]]> By: John_Wayne777 http://pistol-training.com/archives/1260/comment-page-1#comment-1816 John_Wayne777 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:09:40 +0000 http://pistol-training.com/?p=1260#comment-1816 You're dead on the money, there. Personally, I have drilled reholstering for years and I always do it the same way. Step one is taking my finger off the trigger and putting it into the register position. Step 2 is bringing the weapon down out of the line of sight. Step 3 is bringing it into the centerline of my body where I again do a "where is my finger?" check. Step 4 is slowly and deliberately inserting the weapon into the holster. I watched video of myself shooting a drill where I don't recall using any dedicated mental attention to reholstering because I was too busy cursing at myself for missing a shot...but even on autopilot I went through the process I just described. While it's good that I have enough muscle memory to do that, it's also a warning that when handling a firearm you need to be in-the-moment at all times. Having the muscle memory programmed in is great...but our primary safety system should be focused attention on what we are doing at all times. You’re dead on the money, there. Personally, I have drilled reholstering for years and I always do it the same way. Step one is taking my finger off the trigger and putting it into the register position. Step 2 is bringing the weapon down out of the line of sight. Step 3 is bringing it into the centerline of my body where I again do a “where is my finger?” check. Step 4 is slowly and deliberately inserting the weapon into the holster.

I watched video of myself shooting a drill where I don’t recall using any dedicated mental attention to reholstering because I was too busy cursing at myself for missing a shot…but even on autopilot I went through the process I just described.

While it’s good that I have enough muscle memory to do that, it’s also a warning that when handling a firearm you need to be in-the-moment at all times. Having the muscle memory programmed in is great…but our primary safety system should be focused attention on what we are doing at all times.

]]> By: Locobombero http://pistol-training.com/archives/1260/comment-page-1#comment-1759 Locobombero Sun, 01 Mar 2009 16:01:57 +0000 http://pistol-training.com/?p=1260#comment-1759 Sometimes I wonder. As shooters; holstering our weapon is second nature. I cant remember ever thinking to my self "I need to practice some holstering drills". Maybe this is something we should get into our mind set and skill set, Proper manicured holstering skills. Lord knows Iv never really thought of it before this story. I personally will work with the wife and myself on this occasionally to attempt to prevent this kind of accident. Sometimes I wonder. As shooters; holstering our weapon is second nature. I cant remember ever thinking to my self “I need to practice some holstering drills”. Maybe this is something we should get into our mind set and skill set, Proper manicured holstering skills. Lord knows Iv never really thought of it before this story. I personally will work with the wife and myself on this occasionally to attempt to prevent this kind of accident.

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